Bit End Field

Bit End Field is a proper working landscape rather than some manicured nature reserve with visitor centres and gift shops. It's a stretch of grassland and wetland just outside Burton-on-Trent where you can actually see what happens when you leave land to do its thing - birds nesting, wildflowers sprawling, insects going about their business.

Walkers get the most from this place. The paths are straightforward enough, nothing technical, but you need to come with binoculars and patience rather than expecting entertainment laid on. Birdwatchers will clock lapwings and curlews depending on season. Spring's best if you want to see breeding activity; autumn brings migrating species through. Summer's quieter for wildlife if you're being honest, though the wildflower show can be decent.

There's no charge and no formal opening hours - it's one of those reserves where you rock up when you fancy it. Allow an hour or so, maybe longer if you're serious about listing birds. It works well as a morning outing from Kingfisher Holiday Park, only four miles away, especially if you're already planning to explore the parks and greenspace around Burton.

It's not somewhere you bring restless kids expecting playground action. It's not Instagram-pretty either. But if you want to see wildlife doing its thing without crowds or faffing about, it's worth the detour.